Published
12/12/2012 00:00:00

Ravi Shankar

In a statement issued this morning (12.12.12.), his family said: ''It is with great sadness that the Ravi Shankar Foundation and East Meets West Music report the death of maestro Ravi Shankar on December 11, 2012, near his home in southern California.

''[He] had suffered from upper-respiratory and heart issues over the past year, and underwent heart valve replacement surgery last Thursday [December 6]. Though the surgery was successful, recovery proved too difficult.''

Ravi taught The Beatles guitarist George Harrison how to play the sitar and he was described by the late musician - who died in November 2001 - as the ''godfather of world music''.

The three-time Grammy winner was credited with making Indian classical music more popular among international audiences after going on tour in Europe and the US in the 1950s.

He released his final album, 'Living Room Sessions - Part 1', earlier this year and performed his last ever gig on November 4 in Long Beach, California.

Ravi is survived by wife Sukanya and daughters Norah and Anoushka Shankar Wright.

Sukanya and Anoushka added in a statement: ''It is with heavy hearts we write to inform you that Pandit Ravi Shankar, husband, father, and musical soul, passed away today, December 11, 2012.

''As you all know, his health has been fragile for the past several years, and on Thursday he underwent a surgery that could have potentially given him a new lease of life.

''Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery. We were at his side when he passed away.

''We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time. Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives.

''His spirit and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in his music.''